Sportsman 58 Magnum - model variation 58-TX or 58-SX?

[dmmartin2]

I own a 12 ga. Sportsman 58 Magnum. I need help to determine the gun's specific model variation (58-TX, 58-SX or Field) and whether it's possible that its adjustable "Cyclone" Hartford Gun Choke was installed at the Remington factory.

The gun has a blonde, sun-grain stock, gold-wash trigger and other gold trim pieces, a ventilated rib barrel with an adjustable "Cyclone" Hartford Gun Choke. The total barrel length is 28".

You can see close-up, detailed pictures of this gun at this link:

http://cmd.shutterfly.com/commands/pict ... es&album=8

How do I determine the Magnum variation: 58-TX, 58-SX or Field model of this gun? I assume that the difference is in the barrel design so I've included close-up pictures of the barrel markings. The barrel is marked Full choke and was manufactured in July, 1959.

Second, how do I determine if the adjustable "Cyclone" Hartford Gun Choke was a factory-installed option or whether it's an after-market add-on?
Apparently, in the early 60's, customers that bought Ithaca shotguns had the option of three different adjustable chokes to order on their new shotgun; the Poly-Choke, the Hartford Cyclone Choke, and the Lyman Cutts Compensator. The addition of an adjustable choke was a custom ordered item available to the original Ithaca buyer. Did Remington offer the same custom ordering of an adjustabe choke to their Remington buyers? I believe that Remington had a Custom Shop in full operation at that time so it's seems plausable that it could be factory installed.

As you can see by the pictures, this is a shooter. I shot 10 pheasants with it a few weeks ago.

I also own another Sportsman 58 Magnum that has a ventilated rib barrel but it has a brown stock and no gold-wash trim pieces. How do I determin the Magnum model variation of this gun too?

Finally, if you have any other interesting bits of history regarding the the Sportsman 58 Magnum shotgun, please share them.

Thanks,

Doug

[tudurgs]

Can't imagine that the choke is factory-installed. If it were, the barrel would not be marked "full"

[Virginian]

Can't imagine that the choke is factory-installed. If it were, the barrel would not be marked "full"

Bingo. Aftermarket choke installation. I have no clue on the SX, TX, or field determination. I think the gold, at least on the operating handle and trigger group pins, is also homegrown. Otherwise, it looks like one of the Remington Sunburst or whatever they called them guns, with that blond stock, but I never heard of that on a Magnum.

[ChuckD]

Doug,

I'm sure your M-58 is a Sun-Grain "X" Model, but I have never seen a reference to it being available in a field grade. Since the Trap & Skeet shooters use target load shot shells, I don't think a magnum would be offered in a TX or SX.
Either the wood has been replaced or it was a special order.
As far as I know the Sun-Grain was first introduced in 1959, so your 58 fits the time frame.
I have never seen the "Cyclone" Hartford Gun Choke offered by Remington, so I agree it is probably after market.
That's my opinion,
Chuckd